Editor’s note: Following is the third story in a four-day series leading up to Stevens Point Journal Media’s annual special section, “Made in Central Wisconsin.” Read about more local businesses in the section coming out with our Wednesday edition.

When Dave Tuskowski opened Ski’s Meat Market in 2010, he didn’t want to follow retail trends. He wanted to do something different and provide better service.

That business model worked, and now after just three years, Tuskowski said his meat market at 5370 Highway 10 East has climbed “over the small business hump” and is ready to expand. Ski’s Meat Market offers more than 100 Wisconsin cheeses, Boar’s Head deli products and sausages made in-house.

Answer: We’re a unique market. People walk out of here with a smile. We have meat from the Midwest, Wisconsin cheese and take-and-bake pizzas we make ourselves.

Q: What does Ski’s bring to the community?

A: Every dollar that comes in here stays in the area. Not like Target or Walmart, where part of it gets shipped off to a corporate headquarters.

Q: What is in the future for Ski’s?

A: We’re franchising in cities larger than Stevens Point. So we’re looking at one in Wausau, Oshkosh and Green Bay. Maybe two in Madison and five or six in the Milwaukee area. If that goes well, we’ll expand outside of Wisconsin.

Q: Why did you choose Stevens Point?

A: My wife and I are originally from the area. We lived in Madison and Milwaukee and decided to come back.

Q: You said you’re now “over the small business hump,” so what advice would you offer someone who is thinking about starting a small business?

A: First you need to have adequate capital. You have to be willing to work 60-, 70- or 80-hour weeks. You’ve got to believe in what you’re doing, be ambitious.